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Oct 14, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) scores a touchdown in front of USC Trojans wide receiver Mario Williams (4) after a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 48-20. Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

Social Media Slams USC Over Possible End to Notre Dame Rivalry

Originally posted on Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI
By Nick Shepkowski | Last updated May 20, 2025 3:29 PM ET

Notre Dame and USC haven't officially divorced from their nearly century-long rivalry yet but the paperwork has seemingly been printed. From anyone who has been paying attention for the last year or so it doesn't come as a surprise, but to those who might not follow college football nearly as closely, the news creates quite the shock.

As you would expect, the traditionalists on social media were quick to come alive upon Pat Forde's report on Monday. Over 24 hours later, the thoughts have remained flowing in regards to the greatest intersectional rivalry in sports likely coming to an end after this October 18th meeting.

Below are some of the best posts that reacted to what some have expected for a while.

USC's Lack of Big Games

This is USC's schedule this year. If they take away Notre Dame, how many games would their fans even care about? Three? (Michigan, Oregon, UCLA).

It astounds me how schools can be so indifferent/oblivious to the priorities of their own fan base. pic.twitter.com/NLEdwJKYU8
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) May 20, 2025

USC's Softness

USC is soft and now EVERYONE knows it ☘️☘️ pic.twitter.com/bvcohIUfBV
— Notre Dame's Wine n Cheese (@nd_winencheese) May 20, 2025

One Less Annual Loss for USC

I know that we’re all clowning on Southern Cal & Lincoln Riley for trying to duck its series with its biggest rival to try to play easier schedules & give them a chance to get 8 wins.

But can you blame USC for not wanting to get its teeth kicked by Notre Dame every single year?
— College Football Watcher (@CFBWatcher) May 20, 2025

Notre Dame has won six of the last seven meetings with the Trojans.

Lincoln Riley's Softness a Factor

Notre Dame and USC have played each other every year since 1926. Only pausing the series for WWII and COVID.

Now they want to cancel the series, because of the choices they made, and the schedule being “too tough”.

Lincoln Riley is the softest coach in all of CFB. Fight off. ☘️ pic.twitter.com/kp8M1R3vlV
— Clutch Sports: Notre Dame (@ClutchSportsND) May 19, 2025

Oregon Fans Jumping on USC as Well

Great move by USC. If they replace Notre Dame with Eastern Washington, they’ll only miss the playoffs by 3 games instead of 4 https://t.co/zmqY4Drs5a
— Hmer (@OregonHomer) May 19, 2025

Recent Dominance from Notre Dame in Series

I think it is so funny USC Football talking smack to Notre Dame since 2017 #GoIrish have won 6 out of 7 games! What Robert Hughes did to the Trojans in 2010, Notre Dame has been doing to USC over the last 7 years! pic.twitter.com/Kpz7WX0umd
— The cfb lliason (@realfbllliason) May 20, 2025

More USC Softness

Notre Dame QBs build up teams and win Super Bowls. USC QBs cry about their situations and destroy teams. No wonder they want to cancel the series. Soft. pic.twitter.com/aNZliU9kzu
— Dougie Sant (@dougiesant) May 15, 2025

USC Can Do No Wrong to Trojans Homers

What astounds me even more is how many USC fans are agreeing that the series should be canceled because they are in the “USC can do no wrong” camp.

It’s the polar opposite of the Helton era, when in the eyes of many fans, USC could do no right. https://t.co/WR7CuWee47
— Adam Bradford (@Adam_Bradford14) May 20, 2025

Rare Feat for Notre Dame, Indeed

USC can paint it however they want, they’re ducking. Imagine what it takes to have the entire CFB landscape side with Notre Dame lmao. pic.twitter.com/6t8YXzRxjG
— Notre Dame (0-0) (@GGNYC2013) May 20, 2025

Best Rivalry in All of College Football

#1 and it’s not close.

In fact, we ran a rivalry bracket tournament where Notre Dame fans voted on it.

The results were very clear: usc won the final round with over 80% of the vote.

I believe it’s the best rivalry in college football history. https://t.co/NZuUaNfTNI pic.twitter.com/dV1CpW7OOH
— The 4 Horsemen Podcast (@HorsemenPod) May 20, 2025

Need to Remake a Classic Movie Now

If USC canceled the series, they should re-release Godfather II with Hyman Roth watching Notre Dame-Clemson instead. https://t.co/xGENUDEBpY pic.twitter.com/RZi7qDrOh3
— Derek T. Muller (@derektmuller) May 19, 2025

Notre Dame leads the all-time series with USC 52-38-5.

This article first appeared on Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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